Surname Cruzen - Meaning and Origin

Cruzen: What does the surname Cruzen mean?

The surname Cruzen is a patronymic name, meaning that it is derived from the name of an ancestor, usually through the father's line. This name originated from the Anglo-Saxon culture and exists in many variations such as Crusten, Crusen, or Cruise.

The earliest known ancestor of the surname Cruzen was someone named Craosten, who lived in northern England during the 11th century. There is some dispute over the origin of the name, as it could have been either derived from old English, German, or Dutch language.

Some sources suggest that the name is derived from the Dutch word “Kruis”, which means “Cross”. This could refer to a religious family who were baptized or underwent some sort of ritual at a “cross”. Other sources point to the old French word “Croissant”, which means “curly” or “curved”, as the origins of the name. This could have been a description of an ancestor’s physical features, such as curly hair or a curved nose.

The Cruzen surname is found primarily in England, especially in the West Yorkshire area. The name has spread to other parts of the world such as Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. Popular bearers of the Cruzen surname include General Robert Cruzen, who served in the American Revolutionary War, and Sir Harry Cruzen, an English Governor of Bombay in India from 1769 to 1770.

Cruzen: Where does the name Cruzen come from?

The last name Cruzen is found mostly in areas of the United States, predominantly in older records such as the censuses of 1910 and 1930. Back then, it was most common in Indiana and Kentucky, though there are still pockets of Cruzens in those two states today.

It is also found sporadically in other areas of the United States, as well as various parts of Europe. In England, the village of Crushenden has had a Cruzen family living there since at least the 15th century, and many of the surname holders still live there today.

The Cruzen name began to spread in more furnished places in the 17th century, when two Cruzen brothers emigrated from England to America, and settled in Pennsylvania. Their descendants scattered throughout the United States, so you'll now find the surname in places such as California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Georgia, and Louisiana, though the numbers seem to be waning as Cruzens move to other countries or adopt new last names.

The Cruzen surname has gone through several spellings throughout history, so similarly based surnames like Crones, Cruson, Crusson, Cruison, Croson, Caruson, Crushen, Cruse, Crusoe, and Corzine could all be related.

Variations of the surname Cruzen

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Cruzen are Crousen, Crowsen, Cruikshank, Cruise, Crussan and Cruison.

Crousen is the German variant of the surname Cruzen. This spelling is derived from a diminutive form of the name ‘Krone’, which is a German term meaning ‘crown’. This name is often linked to royalty and power, and may have been adopted by individuals of noble origin.

Crowsen is also a German variation of Cruzen. This variant is derived from the Germanic name ‘Kron’, which again means ‘crown’.

Cruikshank is an English variant of the surname Cruzen. It is derived from the Scandinavian name ‘ Crou’, meaning ‘curved’, which was commonly used in the Middle Ages to describe the shape of a curving mountain.

Cruise is an English spelling that emerged in the 15th century. It is believed to be an Anglicized version of Crussen or Crousen. It represents the ‘Krone’ or ‘Crow’ family of variations of the name.

Crussan is believed to have been introduced to Scotland from Northern France, where it is thought to derive from the Celtic ‘Cruithne’ clan name.

Finally, Cruison is a Scottish variant that is believed to originate from the Gaelic ‘Cruthan’ clan name. It is also linked to the Norse language, in which ‘Kruiting’ means ‘strength’, and may have been adopted by families seeking protection.

Famous people with the name Cruzen

• Mandy Moore (formerly Amanda Leigh Moore)- Actress and singer-songwriter.
• Corey Haim- Late Canadian actor who starred in several Hollywood films like The Lost Boys and License to Drive.
• William Rupert Cruzen: American aviator and test pilot who was killed in the 1960s while testing a new aircraft.
• Cassandra Lee Cruzen: American romance novelist who wrote the popular series 'Selena's Choice'.
• Rayford Cruzen: Influential American recluser and hermit who lived in Louisiana for many years.
• Warren L. Cruzen: US Navy Captain who served with distinction during World War II.
• Charley Cruzen: American professional golfer.
• Barbara Cruzen: Beauty mogul and contestant on season 4 of the reality show 'Project Runway'.
• Timothy Cruzen: American technology entrepreneur.
• Gary Raymond Cruzen: Professional photographer and formerau de theater musician.
• Valerie Cruzen: Popular televion and radio show host in the 1990s.
• Jeffery Cruzen: Former basketball coach at Montana State University.
• Peter S. Cruzen: American politician who served as a member of the Kentucky State Senate in the late 1990s.
• Christie Webber Cruzen: Actress known for her appearances in The Walking Dead and True Blood.
• Jack Crozier Cruzen : Motor race driver and Pro-Am champion.
• Corine Cruzen: Olympic eventer and jockey.
• Teresa Cruzen: American activist who works to end racial injustice.
• Margaret Cruzen: American historian noted for her work on the effects of the Civil War on Southern women.

Other surnames

Cruze